August 3, 2018

Gospel: Mt 13:54-58He went to his hometown and taught the people in their synagogue. They were amazed and said, “Where did he get this wisdom and these special powers? Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? Isn’t Mary his mother and aren’t James, Joseph, Simon and Judas his brothers? Aren’t all his sisters living here? Where did he get all these things?” And so they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “The only place where prophets are not welcome is his hometown and in his own family.” And he did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

ReflectionsIsn’t Mary his mother? Who were these brothers and sisters of Jesus? For Protestants, the biological siblings of Jesus. For them Mary’s purity was not diminished by having sired children. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained a perpetual virgin, thus the siblings mentioned must have been Jesus’ cousins or co-villagers. Because his neighbors questioned his credibility, Jesus did not perform miracles in Nazareth. Their lack of faith in him was due to their familiarity with him. On the other hand, familiarity with Jesus should deepen our faith in and fidelity to him, which is the essence of a pure heart.